Re: [ARSCLIST] Magnetic recordings tape vs. moisture

[chris2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I have had specific experience with this in preserving a number of tapes from
the 70's of the same brand, year and storage history, but different containers.
Some were stored in original cardboard containers while others were stored in
"archival" storage containers. In a couple of different cases I came upon
batches where the tapes stored in cardboard containers did exhibit sticky shed,
and the tapes stored in tape care boxes did not. This was an eye opener for me
and I did some research into it with the client. Documentation showed that at
some point in the storage history of these tapes some were rehoused and some
were not. It wasn't clear what the policy or motivating factors were for
rehousing only parts of the collection, but the data provided as a result was
conclusive.

Of course there are truly so many variables in the chemical and physical makeup
of tape as well as degradation mechanisms. I don't believe you can make a
general statement that a certain set of parameters will always yield a certain
set of results. However, my experience coupled with this data was certainly
meaningful enough to conclude that an enclosed "archival" storage container can
greatly decrease the rate and extent of hydrolysis relative to a tape stored in
a cardboard box.


Chris Lacinak
Director of Operations
VidiPax
450 West 31st St.
4th floor
New York, NY 10001
212-563-1999 xt. 130
chris@xxxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: James Lindner [mailto:jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 12:29 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Magnetic recordings tape vs. moisture


Years ago it was considered "good engineering practice" to keep the tapes in the
plastic bags that they were shipped in by the manufacturer. I do not know the
derivation of that idea - but that is what I was taught as a tape operator in my
youth. When I got started in this field, I questioned that notion - so  I kept
condition information about tapes that were being cleaned, and I tried to
correlate whether tapes that were in a bag were in fact in better shape. It was
not a truly scientific study because I did not have a way to empirically measure
how dirty tapes were in the first place, and I did have other people cleaning
tapes then me - so what may have been slightly dirty for one person may have
been considered medium dirty for another. Nevertheless - I could not every find
any meaningful correlation between binder degradation and tapes enclosed in
plastic bags that should have provided some level of vapor barrier protection.
The notion that I came up with to explain this is that over long periods of time
the RH inside the bag (unless it was sealed and virtually none were) and outside
the bag would have equalized - and if anything the vapor barrier would have
provided a bit of latency against humidity cycling (for better or worse). But
this was a hypothesis. In fact I could find no demonstrable correlation.

*
        Jim Lindner
*
        Media Matters, LLC
*
        Email: jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*
        Address: 500 West 37th Street, 1st FL
        New York, N.Y. 10018
*
        eFax (646) 349-4475
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        Mobile: (917) 945-2662
*
        www.media-matters.net



-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Dave Radlauer
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 12:56 AM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Magnetic recordings tape vs. moisture

In a message dated 6/10/04 9:03:03 PM, LISTSERV@xxxxxxx writes:

<< Would a completely sealed tape box minimize sticky shed syndrome by
insulating the tape from moisture in the environment? >>

In theory . . . maybe.  When the box is closed, any ambient moisture in the air,
and in the tape would be trapped inside.  Although dessicant (moisture absorbing
crystals) in the box might absorb and lock-up any such moisture. But I don't
know any of the tape manufacturers really claim there "archival storage
containers" to really seal out moisture.

Dave Radlauer
www.JAZZHOT.Bigstep.com


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